Knox nods, quietly thinking it over. “I don’t like to see you sad,” he simply says.

  Oh, how sad he’s seen me be.

  Bobby returns before I can reply with a bottle of their finest red and two wineglasses. “Still need time with the menu?” he asks as he pours.

  “Yes, please,” Knox says.

  “Well, flag me down when you’re ready to order. I’m only two shakes away.”

  He exits once again, leaving us with even wider smiles.

  Knox takes a sip from his glass and nods, his suspicions confirmed. “Yup. This is a twenty-dollar bottle of wine.”

  I laugh, enjoying my sip. “It’s perfect.”

  “Yeah,” he agrees, his eyes soft on me across the table. “It is.”

  Just a perfect and normal evening out.

  “Holy shit— what?”

  We hear the hostess gasp again and turn to look toward the entrance.

  Three people walk through the doors, absolutely over-dressed for the establishment. The two women wear bright yellow sequined dresses and ripped tights, their laughter and giggles carrying loudly through the doorway.

  I recognize them immediately.

  Goldie Locke and Tesla Kyle.

  And standing between them…

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Knox murmurs.

  Logan Shock catches my eye across the restaurant and smirks.

  Yeah...

  Just a perfectly normal date night out in Portland, Oregon.

  39

  KNOX

  Iswear under my breath. And over it.

  Logan Shock plows past the hostess, grinning as he makes his way toward our table. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he says. “What a wonderful surprise!”

  “Move along, Shock,” I say.

  He ignores it, coming to stand directly next to us, his Shock Girls lingering close behind. “It’s so good to see you again, Ms. Harmony,” he says, his eyes only on her. “You look lovely this evening.”

  “Thanks,” Harmony says, the word laced with acid.

  Logan notices. “Oh, come now. Don’t tell me you two are still salty about that interview.”

  “Salty isn’t the word I would choose,” I say. “Move along.”

  “It was just good fun,” he says, brushing it off. “All in the name of friendly competition.”

  “There is nothing friendly about calling your competition a whore,” Harmony says.

  I blink in surprise, not expecting her to be so confrontational.

  Logan drops his jaw. “Ms. Harmony, I apologize. In no way did I mean offense, but seeing that I did, you have my sincerest apologies. Please, let me buy you a drink.”

  “We have drinks,” I say.

  “An appetizer, then? The garlic breadsticks here are delicious.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Very crunchy.”

  “Piss off, Shock,” I say through my teeth.

  The hostess appears suddenly, her grin wide enough to trip over. “Are we pushing a few tables together tonight?”

  “No!” I say as Logan and Harmony say, “Yes.”

  I whip my head toward Harmony. “What?”

  She moves her chair around the table to get closer to mine as Bobby and the hostesses work on loudly sliding another table closer to ours. “You want to know why he’s here, don’t you?” she asks.

  “We know why he’s here,” I whisper. “He’s pissing me off!”

  “Know thy enemy, Knox.” She leans a little closer. “Have a drink with them. Ask some questions. Get him talking. Eventually, he’ll slip up and say something you can exploit and use against him. I used to do it all the time during pageants.”

  “Did you ever actually win a pageant?”

  “Low blow.”

  “Sorry.”

  We lean back as The Electrics take their seats around the other table now nestled next to ours. Logan sits straight across from me with a blue-haired Tesla on his right and the aptly named Goldie on his left. He quickly fires off an order for another bottle of wine and Bobby rushes away to fetch it.

  Harmony sits tall and clears her throat, turning to talk to Tesla sitting on her left. “I love your dress,” she says.

  “Thank you,” Tesla says, her voice low and raspy. “I made it myself.”

  “You did?”

  “Tesla makes all of our clothing, actually,” Logan says. “She’s very good.”

  Harmony blinks in surprise. “You make all of your outfits yourself?”

  Goldie chuckles. “We like to be one-of-a-kind.”

  Logan casually caresses Goldie’s arm. “Very true.”

  “Well, that’s incredible,” Harmony says. “You’re very skilled.” She eyes my silent form. “Right, Knox?”

  “Uh…” I nod. “Yeah. Sure is.”

  “Not much for fashion, are you, Knox?” Logan asks, upping his volume to carry over the small tables.

  “I like to be comfortable,” I say.

  “Don’t we all?”

  Bobby arrives with the second bottle, setting it on their table with three glasses. “Do you need another minute with your menus, Mr. Shock?” he asks.

  “Oh, no. Just bring us our usual, and tell Larry not to skimp on the garlic this time.”

  Bobby bows. “Will do, sir.”

  “You’ve been here before?” Harmony asks as Bobby rushes off again.

  “Oh, yes,” Goldie says.

  “We love Larry’s,” Tesla says.

  “It’s our favorite place in Portland,” Logan says.

  I lean back an inch, their voices eerily in sync.

  “We always swing by when we’re in town,” he continues.

  “How often are you here?” Harmony asks, sipping her wine.

  “Three, four times a year,” he answers. “Whenever we’re on tour. It’s important to us we patronize local businesses wherever we are. It’s the best way to support the communities that support us.”

  Tesla and Goldie hum softly in agreement.

  Harmony glances at me, subtly reacting to the strange melody in their voices.

  Logan smiles at me again. “Don’t you agree, Knox?”

  “I do, yes,” I say.

  He makes a quiet, mouse-like noise, then reaches for his wineglass.

  My brow twitches. “What?”

  “Hm?” Logan shakes his head. “I said nothing.”

  “You made a noise.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “Knox,” Harmony says.

  “No, go ahead, Shock,” I say. “Say what you want to say.”

  “It’s just that I’ve noticed you and yours prefer certain luxuries on the road, that’s all.”

  Angry heat teases my collar.

  Harmony taps my ankle beneath the table, a silent warning shot.

  “Well, Criminal Records has come a long way,” I say. “We started in dive bars just like everyone else.”

  “I’m sure that’s true,” Logan says.

  “We did.”

  Harmony taps me again.

  “What?” I ask her.

  She smiles sweetly at the others. “Would you excuse us a minute?”

  “Absolutely,” Logan says.

  “Thank you.” Harmony flicks up a menu and hides behind it, her eyes suddenly sharp as nails. “Stop it.”

  I hide behind it, too. “Stop what? He’s being a dick.”

  “He’s baiting you and you’re walking right into it!”

  “I’m about to walk around this table and stick my luxury shoe up his homemade trousered ass.”

  Harmony flicks the menu down, her smile bright and happy. “So, Logan,” she says, oh-so-sweetly.

  He looks over from whispering something in Tesla’s ear. “Yes, Ms. Harmony?”

  “How’s your tour going so far?”

  He gushes, touching his chest with an open palm. “Wonderful!”

  “Yeah?”

  “There’s really nothing better, is there?” he asks, his eyes hopping between us. “The road. The music. The people.”

  I nod. Finally, something I agree with. “Nothing better than the life of a rock god.”

  Logan passively waves his hand. “I don’t know if I’d say it like that.”

  “Why not?”

  “So much baggage in the term,” he muses. “One hears rock god, they think sex and drugs. Fame and fortune. Live interviews every day and promiscuous groupies every night.”

  “What’s wrong with all that?” I ask.

  Harmony sighs silently, not bothering to kick me at all this time.

  “Nothing. If that’s what you’re here for.”

  “Well, what are you here for, Shock?”

  He smiles, his lips red with wine. “I’m no god, Knox.”

  “Obviously.”

  “I’m just… an artist,” he says, his tone light and fluffy, his tongue sharp as a knife. “I’m here for the music, nothing more. That’s what really matters, right?”

  I shut my mouth, my rage blending with something new and icky in my gut.

  Bobby approaches the table with plates expertly balanced on his arms. “Your appetizers, Mr. Shock,” he says as he sets them down with gravity-defying precision.

  “Yes.” I smirk at Logan across the table. “That’s what really matters.”

  And he smirks right back.

  40

  KNOX

  “That smug, glam rock douchebag.”

  I rant the entire way back to the Lamplight Hotel. Harmony strides with me, stretching her legs long to keep up. “He is very smug,” she says.

  “You know he’s stalking us, right?” I ask. “That’s the only way he magically knew we were at that restaurant.”

  “Or he reads Gossipa,” she suggests. “A lot of people saw us walking around together, Knox.”

  “I’m just an artist,” I mock. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  I throw open the door to the hotel, then stop and double back to hold it open for Harmony.

  “I can only imagine,” she says as she shuffles quickly through the entryway.

  “Is he saying that I’m not an artist?” I spit as we beeline together across the lobby toward the elevator. “Because I’m a fucking artist! I’m a goddamn music legend. He’s a fucking one-hit wonder. You know?”

  “I know,” Harmony says as she taps the call button.

  The doors instantly open and we step on.

  “And what’s with that class warfare shit?” I say, my anger tempting toward rage. “I grew up in a commune! I had cigarettes put out on my back. I wasn’t born rich, and I don’t like the implication that I didn’t earn every penny I have.”

  She hesitates, her eyes full of sympathy. “Well, Jonah did kind of⁠—”

  “Jonah didn’t teach me how to read music! He didn’t carve these callouses into my hands! I did that.”

  “I know, Knox. I didn’t mean to…”

  Her voice trails off as she looks down.

  I exhale hard. “I’m sorry. I know you know that. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just…” The lift climbs up, my thoughts leading to more thoughts. “This is what he wants, right?”

  “Maybe.”

  “He’s a troll,” I say. “He’s trying to get this reaction out of me; trying to get me all fucked up.”

  The doors open on our floor. Harmony steps off first, and I absently follow her down the hall to her room.

  “Well, it won’t work!” I declare.

  Harmony arches a brow.

  “Anymore,” I add. “It won’t work anymore. From now on, I’m going to keep my cool. Be chill. Like Bronson! I can be like Bronson.”

  “You can totally be like Bronson,” Harmony says as she opens her door.

  I step into the room. “I really want to kick the shit out of him, though.”

  “Please don’t.”

  “I won’t,” I say. “But I want to.” My fists roll on their own. “Fucking glam rock douchebag! I tell you what, if he shows up somewhere else where he doesn’t belong, I’m gonna⁠—”

  I turn toward Harmony, my words failing as I see her sundress fall off her shoulders. It puddles to the floor at her feet and she stands before me in nothing but a peach-colored bra and panties.

  “Harmony, why are you naked?” I ask. “This is serious.”

  Harmony casually reaches behind her back. With a flick of her fingers, she releases the clasp of the bra. She lets it fall as she bends at the waist and pushes her panties down, too.

  I clear my throat. “Harm…”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She steps forward, stopping close enough for me to feel the pleasant warmth of her skin. “Did you want to keep bitching about this?”

  I scoff. “I am not bitching.”

  Her brow arches again.

  “I just think Logan should show some goddamn class,” I say. “That’s all. And since we’re on the subject, he should also⁠—”

  Harmony kisses me, her tongue silencing my rant. She eases closer, her breasts pressing hard against my chest. I can’t stop my hands from embracing her hips and crawling around to squeeze her rear.

  Harmony breaks the kiss and looks up at me with sinister eyes. “What was that about Logan?” she asks.

  “Logan who?”

  I crush my mouth on hers, his name fading from my mind as all the blood in my body rushes south.

  Harmony pushes my suit jacket down my shoulders. Before it falls, her hands move to my belt. Her fingers graze my erection as she pushes the zipper down and one last intelligent thought forces itself back into my head.

  “Are you sure?” I whisper.

  “No,” she says.

  We smile.

  “I know full frontal on the first date ain’t exactly taking it slow, but…” Her sweet lips touch mine. “The first act of rebellion is always the hardest. Right?”

  I leave the point of no return behind as I wrap my arms around her and kiss her again.

  41

  KNOX

  Harmony falls back onto the bed. I look at her, the lights low, my eyes riding her body from her auburn head to her little pink-colored toenails.

  Her breasts. Her curves. Her thighs, open and waiting.

  Mine.

  I undress, ridding myself of my shirt and pants. Mounting the bed, I ease between her knees and push her up toward the pillows. She gasps in the dark and cups my face, her hands warm against my cheeks. As her thighs hug my waist and my cock pushes hard against her belly, we stare at each other. We breathe each other’s air, exchanging slow, passionate kisses. We touch and feel and yearn until our throbbing selves react with gentle moans and groans.

  “Condoms?” I ask.

  “The pill,” she replies.

  “Excellent.”

  Harmony reaches down and wraps her fingers around my length. I shudder with pleasure, my entire body tightening as she guides my cock. Holding my breath, I feel her push me inside. My tip surges from the heat as I release a deep groan.

  Fuck. Fuck.

  I miss her so much.

  I thrust all the way in.

  Harmony gasps, a deep sigh of moaning relief on her tongue. She raises her knees higher, urging me to fuck her, and I’m in no position to deny the lady what she wants.

  I brace myself against the bed and thrust again. Harmony shudders, beautifully moaning as I bury my face in her shoulder. Nails dig into my flesh as I move, taking her hard and fast. I chase nothing but pleasure, the memory of her body sparking emotions long buried. Emotions I don’t allow myself to think about. I pound and grind instead, embracing her body, enjoying her gasping moans.

  “Knox,” she whimpers.

  I kiss her. I suck my name off her tongue. I take her, wanting to leave a mark. Not only on her skin, but inside, too. I want her to always think about my cock inside of her when she comes.

  And come she will.

  I push up on my arms, pulling out of her suddenly as I move. Harmony mewls in surprise, her fingers digging into my abs.

  “Wait, no,” she gasps. “Don’t stop.”

  “Get comfortable,” I say. “I’m gonna be down there for a while.”

  I kiss her hard, tasting her giggles before descending her body. I take my time licking her soft skin, nibbling and sucking on her hard nipples. She combs her fingers through my hair, gripping my scalp as I kiss her belly and inner thighs. Her scent tickles my nostrils and my tongue bursts with the need to taste her, but I keep at my teasing speed.

  “Knox,” she whispers in delicious pain.

  My cock throbs, wanting to be back inside of her. But just a few minutes of thrusting put me too close to the edge. I want this to last for as long as possible.

  I kiss her, her outer lips hot and wet. Her thighs twitch around my ears as I taste her with the length of my tongue. She moans again, her grip hard on my scalp. I could probably just blow on her and she’d come right here and now.

  “Harmony,” I whisper against her thigh.

  She moans in reply.

  “Your cunt is still so fucking delicious.”

  She laughs, looking down at me. “Don’t stop now, rock god,” she teases. “I’m so close.”

  “Oh, I know,” I say, drawing my hand up her leg.

  “Knox,” she warns.

  But she has no power here.

  I chuckle as I run my finger between her slit, teasing her. “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes.”

  I touch her swollen clit, but only for a second, and she flinches. She squeezes my hair, begging and pleading for me to feast on her. To make her come.

  Not yet.

  I dance my finger along her entrance. She sighs with longing.

  “Knox—oh!”

  I slide my whole finger inside, quickly placing my other hand on her belly to hold her in place. “Shh,” I say, curling my finger.

  Harmony covers her mouth with one hand, my name smothered by her palm.

  I taste her again while I finger her, each little flick and lick bringing a new, muffled sound. My cock continues throbbing, the view alone of Harmony squirming in front of me enough to get me off. But not yet.

  Not yet.